This is a record of my journey as a Muslim. I used to be Catholic and belonged to a missionary organisation. After my conversion, I sat on the board of a Muslim converts' organisation and specialised in da'wah programmes, convert management, interfaith issues and apostasy cases. I am an initiate of a Sufi order. As such, the articles and writings tend to cover these areas.
All the Arabic and graphics could not have been done without the help of my wife, Zafirah.

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Tijaniyyah Practices for Yawm al-'Arafah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is adapted from an article by Ustadz
Fakhruddin Owaisi at-Tijani.

The Day of ‘Arafah is the greatest day of the year
just as Laylat al-Qadr is the
greatest night. Besides lots of dzikr and du’a, the following has been the practice by the shuyukh of the Tijaniyyah for that
sacred day and after.

Our Master of Masters, the blessed Prophet
Muhammad (s.a.w.) used to fast on
that day. He also said that Allah (s.w.t.) will Forgive the sins of the
past year and the coming year of the person who fasts on that day. Shaykh Ibrahim Niyas (q.s.) used say that this means that person who fasts on that day
will hopefully live another year.

We are encouraged to recite Ayat al-Hirsw, 360 times before sunset
with the intention of Protection, Mercy and Guidance for the whole year:

Now hath come unto you a
messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should perish:
ardently anxious is he over you: to the believers is he most kind and
merciful. But if they turn away, say, “Allah
sufficeth me: There is not god but He: On Him is my trust - He the Lord of the
Throne (of Glory) Supreme!” (Surah at-Tawbah:128-129)

These blessed verses are known as Ayat al-Hirsw. They contain great Divine Secrets. This was narrated from our Murshid Shaykh Ahmad at-Tijani (q.s.) himself.

We are also encouraged to recite a special swalawat called Yaqutat al-Haqa’iq, “The Rubies of Realities,” 161 times. The reward of this ‘ibadah is considered equivalent to standing at ‘Arafah. However, this is only for those of the Tijaniyyah who have ‘ijazah to do so. This
unique swalawat granted by the
Prophet (s.a.w.) to Shaykh Ahmad at-Tijani
(q.s.) in a state of wakefulness.

Those who are able should prepare for the
slaughtering of the sacrifice on the ‘Iyd
al-Adhha. It is a great sunnah of the prophets, from Abraham (a.s.) to Muhammad (s.a.w.). There are great
blessings in this sunnah on that day.
Every Muslim who is able should try to slaughter one sheep for every member of
their family. If they cannot afford to
do so, then they should try to slaughter one for each spouse. If that is also not possible, then try to slaughter
at least a sheep or a goat for the entire family.

The Prophet (s.a.w.) said that our intentions for slaughtering reach Allah (s.w.t.) even before the blood falls on
the ground. He also stated that our sins
are Forgiven in accordance with every hair of that the sacrifice. It is preferred for one to slaughter the
sacrifice himself in his hometown, reciting the takbir with his family. However,
it is allowed to send the money elsewhere to get the sacrifice done there.

The Prophet (s.a.w.) recommended that all those who conduct the sacrifice not
cut their nails or hair , from the 1st of the month until the Day of
‘Iyd in imitation of the pilgrims. However, it is not a condition. It is also recommended that on ‘Iyd al-Adhha, we eat nothing before the
swalat al-’iyd and thereafter eat
from the sacrifice as there is great barakah
in that sacrificial meat.

We must recite the takbir loudly after every swalah
fardhu from the fajr of the Day
of ‘Arafah, 9th Dzu al-Hijjah until the ‘aswr of the 13th day. It is a sunnah
in which we celebrate Allah’s (s.w.t.)
Bounties on the pilgrims and on this blessed ummah of Muhammad (s.a.w.).

Shaykh Ibrahim Niyas (q.s.) also gave some advice to his students on what to do in the
holy nights of Ramadhan. We mention them
here again, as the occasion is similar and the virtues of these actions remain
evergreen.

This is from a letter written by the Shaykh (q.s.) in Kaolack around 1934, mentioned
in the handwritten collection entitled ad-Durrah
al-Kharidah wa al-Yaqutah al-Faridah min Rasa’il Swahib al-Faydhah
at-Tijaniyyah wa Hamil Rayat ash-Shari’ah wa ath-Thariqah wa al-Haqiqah fi
as-Sirri wa al-‘Alaniyyahi, “The Unique Pearl and the Rare Ruby from the
Letters of the Bringer of the Tijani Faydhah
and the Carrier of the Banner of Shari’ah,
Thariqah and Haqiqah in Private and Public.”
He said, “I advise you to promptly recite the awrad of the Tijani Path, for they are the best adzkar of tarbiyyah. And I advise you
to talk about and discuss the status of our Shaykh al-Khatm at-Tijani with your
fellow disciples, for that is better than all awrad. And I advise you to
mention and recall his faydhah through
which Allah Established His Realities in your hearts and made you taste His
Divine Sciences. So that you may
comprehend the value of this blessing, and thank Allah and not be ungrateful.”